MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the planned matchup with an event source. Sherdog first reported the likelihood of the bout, which marks both fighters’ DREAM debut.

The event takes place Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It airs live on HDNet in North America.

Fujii opened her career with 22 consecutive victories and was considered the top fight in women’s MMA. Due to the bout’s closeness, that legacy diminished little despite a split-decision defeat to Zoila Gurgel in the finale of Bellator’s 115-pound tournament in 2010. Since the heavily criticized decision, the submission specialist has earned a pair of decision victories over Emi Fujino (9-5) and Mika Nagano (8-5).

Benitez, meanwhile, opened her career with six consecutive victories before a recent decision loss to Finland’s Katja Kankaanpaa in October. Four of the muay Thai fighter’s career wins have come via first-round stoppage.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.